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Showbiz Tonight
Jennifer Aniston Speaks Out on Angelina Jolie; Malia and Sasha Obama: Fashion Icons; Is Barack Obama Fair Game for Comics?; Should Malia and Sasha Obama Go on "Hannah Montana?"
Aired November 12, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jennifer Aniston speaks out on Angelina Jolie. In an absolutely explosive interview, Jennifer finally breaks her silence on Brad and Angie`s relationship, and what Angelina did that Jen says was very un-cool.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": It has totally reignited the Aniston- Jolie feud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why did Jennifer speak out now? Should she have kept quiet? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the most dramatic chapter yet in the Jennifer- Angelina saga.
Presidential comedy - now that Barack Obama has been elected president, is he fair game for the comedians? What will the next four years be like on late night and in the comedy clubs? The comics are speaking out. And tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates Obama`s comedy factor.
Plus, should Obama`s daughters go on "Hannah Montana?"
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. Tonight, Paula Abdul and the mystery death of a fan. In a headline right out of a Hollywood script, a woman found dead just doors down from Paula Abdul`s home, turns out to be Paula Abdul`s apparent fan. And she was once featured on "American Idol." The dramatic story coming up.
HAMMER: But first, the Aniston-Angelina slam. Jennifer Aniston finally let loose breaking her silence about her ex, Brad Pitt, and his relationship with Angelina Jolie. In the December issue of "Vogue," Aniston dishes on what she knew and when. But why is Jennifer speaking out about and what did Jolie do that Jen calls inappropriate and un-cool? This new chapter in the Aniston-Brangelina saga is making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): For a while, there was peace in the Aniston-Jolie-Pitt wars. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt went about having baby after baby. Jennifer Aniston went about dating A-list star after A-list star. And everyone involved seemed to be living lives of separate but peaceful co-existence.
Now those days are over. Aniston is blasting Jolie as, quote, "un- cool," for talking in detail about how Jolie got close to Brad Pitt while he was still married to Aniston.
PIAZZA: This is the first time really in four years that Jennifer Aniston has lashed out at Angelina Jolie. Now, she`s finally like, "Look. Hey girl, what you did was really un-cool."
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Aniston`s explosive comments are reigniting interest in one of Hollywood`s messiest break-ups ever with a massive outcry that either backs Aniston or cheers on team Jolie.
PIAZZA: This is the quintessential break-up story and everyone loves taking sides. It has totally reignited the Aniston-Jolie feud.
HAMMER: As Aniston`s fiery interview in the latest issue of "Vogue" hits newsstands, everyone`s asking the big question - almost four years after Pitt worked with Jolie on "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," and later left Aniston and took up with his co-star, why is Aniston so steamed now? Well, it all has to do with Jolie`s old interview with "Vogue" last year.
PIAZZA: Back in 2007, Angelina Jolie gave an interview with the "Vogue" and Angelina said that while she was shooting "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," she just really fell in love with Brad Pitt, that the two of them had such a chemistry on screen and she couldn`t wait to get to work every day.
HAMMER: Aniston was not happy to read that. In her brand-new interview in "Vogue," she says about Jolie`s interview, "There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening. I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn`t wait to get to work every day? That was really un- cool."
The issue of exactly when Pitt and Jolie got together has been a running question in their controversial union. Pitt has said nothing happened with Jolie until after he and Aniston were done.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": When you`re getting emotionally involved with someone you`re working with -
BRAD PITT, ACTOR: Well, that came after, Larry. That came after.
PIAZZA: Brad said for a long time, "Look, I didn`t do anything while I was still married to you, Jen. I was faithful to you the whole time."
HAMMER: But Jo Piazza of the "New York Daily News" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jolie`s hints that she and Pitt got cozy while Aniston was still in the picture are probably too much for Aniston.
PIAZZA: I think that she has held on to this for four years and maybe it`s cathartic for her to be like, "OK, that was un-cool what you did. I`ve moved on but I want to let you know what you did kind of sucked."
HAMMER: Aniston may think Jolie is un-cool, but she tells "Vogue" that she and Pitt are cool.
PIAZZA: She says they have exchanged some polite hellos - how are you doing. She says she congratulated him on his babies. And at the end of the day, it`s easier to blame the other woman than it is to blame your ex.
HAMMER: It all goes to show you that even after four years, a bunch of kids and a few headline-making relationships, the pain, bitterness and interest in one of Hollywood`s most controversial break-ups remains sky high.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
It`s almost pretty clear the Jolie-Aniston smackdown is back on. But why is Jennifer Aniston speaking out now?
Joining me tonight in New York is Janell Snowden who is a "VH1 News" host. And also joining us tonight from Miami, Steve Santagati of the Web site, "BadBoysFinishFirst.com."
Hello to you both. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have been officially divorced for what, three years now. And as we mentioned, it seemed as though everybody had made their peace and moved on with their lives. So Janell, let me start with you. Why reopen old wounds now?
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, "VH1 NEWS": First of all, I don`t think the wound was ever closed. I just think that because Jennifer Aniston is such - you know, she`s such a girl next door. There`s a great quote in the article from the executive that has worked her. She says she`s special enough to be unattainable but still real enough that you want her as a friend.
And I think we all feel. And as her friend, I think we`re all like, "Girl, show some emotion. This man left you. And now, he`s gone and he`s had babies and he`s with a beautiful woman. Like you`ve got to be upset about it. Say something."
But she`s been so gracious throughout it. So I don`t think our fascination with her is ever going to die because we all do feel like she`s our friend. So even when she gets married and she`s having babies of her own, we`re still going to be like, "What`s next? What`s next?" I mean, I just think that`s what she is to us. She`s just here to stay.
HAMMER: Well, you make the point she`s been so gracious. I guess public perception has been that maybe that she moved on. So Steve Santagati, let me ask you. Are you a little surprised that Aniston is taking such a direct jab at Jolie now or does it make perfect sense to you?
STEVE SANTAGATI, "BADBOYSFINISHFIRST.COM": It makes perfect sense because she was asked a question and she answered honestly. And I think people are confusing what she meant by "un-cool." I don`t think she`s saying that Angelina doesn`t know how to dress or is not listening to the right music.
What she`s saying is that was really hurtful and you don`t gloat on infidelity. I mean, come on - and she`s right. I mean, Angelina should have never said those things and intimated to it.
I think that Brad saying that they weren`t emotionally involved - basically, Jennifer hasn`t learned a thing. She`s still dating bad boys that she can`t handle. And the fact of the matter is, until she learns to break that pattern, she`s always going to be hurting and there`s going to be a woman that`s going to be in her circle or her world that`s going to always be un-cool.
SNOWDEN: But how do we know she doesn`t want to date these guys? I mean, she said in the article ...
SANTAGATI: She can`t handle them, Janell. She can`t handle it. It doesn`t matter whether she wants to or not. She`s coming out in the article because she`s like, upset.. It`s like, "Yes. That wasn`t very nice. That was kind of un-cool." Well, why don`t you do something about it, Jennifer? Why don`t you stop being the victim.
SNOWDEN: She isn`t a victim. She`s happy. She`s living her life. She says so. She`s like, "I`m exactly where I`m supposed to be."
SANTAGATI: Is she happy?
SNOWDEN: And if she is, then we should be happy for her.
HAMMER: May I jump in and read that particular quote that we`re talking about here? This is a quote that Angelina Jolie gave to "Vogue" back in 2007 about working with Brad on "Mr. & Mrs. Smith. This is what she said, quote, "Because of the film, we ended up being brought together to do all these crazy things, and I think we found strange friendship and partnership that kind of just suddenly happened. I think a few months in, I realized, `God, I can`t wait to get to work.`"
Now, Jennifer, in her "Vogue" article, said that sharing these details was - and these were her words - "inappropriate and un-cool," saying also she didn`t know back then that this was going on.
So, Janell, to Steve`s point, was it un-cool of Jennifer to dig up old dirt or is it about time that we hear her side of the story?
SNOWDEN: OK. If you read the article, it`s not like she goes in with the agenda of saying, "You know what? I have a bone to pick with Angelina." She didn`t even want to talk about it. In fact, she asked the interviewer to turn off the tape when she first approached the subject. But she got her thoughts together and she said, "You know what? I probably should say something."
Or I don`t even know if it was that contrived. I mean, I think she`s a human being. She obviously still feels something, and when reminded of it, it`s like - yes, then you can reopen a wound.
But I mean, I don`t really think that she`s doing anything wrong here. She`s acting on emotion and it`s about time that she does. And like I said, she`s been entirely gracious. The article is a great one. When I read it, I felt like, I want to give her a hug. And I`m proud of her. She`s strong, you know. She simply rocked.
SANTAGATI: I want to give her a hug, too.
SNOWDEN: I`m sure you do, Steve.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Listen, you know, the point is, a lot of people are cheering for Aniston right now because they`re saying, "Great, we`re glad that you finally put it out there."
Listen, Steve, she had the opportunity to not answer the question and to not go down that road. Something in her head said, "You know what? Let me get this out there." So do you think that was a good move for her, that, you know, she made the decision just to put it all out there?
SANTAGATI: Two things, A.J. One, she said to shut the tape off. But oddly enough, the quote - one of the quotes she had the tape on for because it came out in print.
SNOWDEN: Yes, because she went back o the record to say that.
SANTAGATI: That`s right. The other thing is -
HAMMER: So it was a - the point is being - Steve, it was a conscious decision for her to allow this stuff to get out.
SANTAGATI: It was a conscious decision for her to allow this stuff to get out. And not only that, you guys were all missing the point. What she`s saying is that information intimates that Brad and Angelina were more than just working at that point.
We all know that when we see someone that we like and we lust for, the relationship starts the moment our eyes lock. And that`s what happened. And Jennifer did not want to be reminded that she had been with Brad in the house for two months and felt like a fool.
And when this journalist asked her the question, she was like, "Yes, well, you know, that wasn`t right. That was wrong." It all came up inside of her head. Janell, do you understand what I`m saying?
SNOWDEN: Yes, but imagine if she hadn`t said anything. Imagine if she said, "I wish them all the best. I think what they`re doing is good (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SANTAGATI: I agree, I agree.
SNOWDEN: I mean, we would have thought, like, "Come on, Jennifer."
SANTAGATI: She`s an idiot. She`s a phony.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: However, I should point out, Jen did make it very clear, you know, she`s still in touch with Brad to some degree and has a lot of respect and admiration for him and all that he has done and has congratulated him on his babies. So that is going on -
SANTAGATI: Yes. But she shouldn`t blame Angelina. Women always blame the other woman when it`s the guy. We`re responsible. Listen, no one forced you to go to her.
HAMMER: I have to end it there. What an unfortunate place to end it ...
SNOWDEN: I got it.
HAMMER: ... we could go on about that. I know Janell`s cooking right now. Steve Santagati, Janell Snowden, thanks, guys.
Let me turn it over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Here`s what we need to know - "Jennifer Aniston Slams Angelina Jolie: Should she have spoken out?" What do you think? CNN.com/ShowbizTonight is where you vote. Or E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
All right. Brooke, Paula Abdul speaking out about just a horrifying story tonight.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. A woman who once auditioned for "American Idol" has been found dead near Paula`s home. Police suspect her death was a suicide. We`ve got more details on this stunning story and Paula`s reaction, straight ahead.
We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE: Oh, nonsense. It`s so beyond the race issue. No, of course not, of course not. Everybody`s fair game for a comedian.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, nonsense. Comedians, including the one and the only Joan Rivers, speaking out about presidential humor now that Barack Obama has been elected. Is he really fair game for comics? We are investigating the Obama comedy factor, coming up.
ANDERSON: And Obama`s daughters - fashion plates. We are taking a look at the influential style of the new first daughters. That`s still to come on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Plus, should they go on "Hannah Montana?" You don`t want to miss it.
You can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT video anytime. New stuff is going up all the time, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. And among the videos now playing, Britney Spears` surprise performance.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: One of the things that President- elect Obama was really interested in after we had had our policy discussions was his little girls - how would they like the White House?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: While their father is scoping out their future bedrooms, Barack Obama`s daughters are starting big buzz in the fashion world.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
There has been so much talk about the future first family and their sense of style. Some are calling them the first family of fashion. But it`s not only Barack and Michelle making headlines. Their daughters, Sasha and Malia are proving to be first kid fashionistas. Here`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Only seven years old and already, she`s got something named after her?
(on camera): What`s this dressed called?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, we`re calling it Sasha now.
MOOS (voice over): After all, millions saw her wearing it. Sure, it was Mrs. Obama`s dress that caught everyone`s eye and lots of flak, described by one blog as hell-colored. A critic posted she was probably just dressing a moose backstage.
But the kids are also casting fashion shadow, albeit little ones. The designer of Sasha`s dress watched President-elect Obama make his victory speech on TV without recognizing her dress until a co-worker showed her a photo the next morning.
CAROL HICKS, COWORKER OF THE "SASHA" DRESS DESIGNER: Brenda, can you believe this? Look at this. This is your dress.
BRENDA EDWARDS, DESIGNER OF THE "SASHA" DRESS: It was a little bit louder.
MOOS: How did designer Brenda Edwards react?
EDWARDS: I said, (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MOOS: Her at Gerson & Gerson overlooking Macy`s in New York City, they`re now creating Sashas in colors other than black for next season.
(on camera): Ivory Sasha, pink Sasha.
(voice over): There are Sashas everywhere. The company says they believe the Obamas bought the dress at Nordstrom`s or Dillard`s for about $75.
BARBARA ZEINS, PRESIDENT, GERSON & GERSON, INC.: I shed a few tears over it. We come to work every day and you know, we`re just sort of your average (UNINTELLIGIBLE) making dresses here in the backroom.
MOOS: As for Malia`s red dress, its maker, Viscotti(ph), Inc. says it retails for about $110 leading one person to post on "The Wall Street Journal" blog, "So does this mean Obama is going to add an extra $110 tax credit to each child so we can buy them designer clothes that the will outgrow in a year?"
Hey, come on, it`s a dress for the night her dad was elected president. Viscotti`s(ph) co-owner is volunteering to dress the girls for the inauguration. When their mom wore this on the "Tonight" show.
MICHELLE OBAMA, WIFE OF PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA: This is a J. Crew ensemble.
JAY LENO, HOST, THE "TONIGHT" SHOW WITH JAY LENO: Really wild.
MOOS: J. Crew used that to take advantage of the Obama connection. The kiddie clothing companies say they don`t expect to make much money from the girls. But boy, are these models cute.
SASHA OBAMA, DAUGHTER OF PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA: Hi, Daddy.
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT-ELECT: Hi, sweetie.
MOOS (on camera): Do you have this in a size 12? No. It helps to be small enough to pick up to qualify as a first kid fashionista.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. Have you noticed this lately? Sarah Palin`s been everywhere, all over television doing interviews, even cooking?
ANDERSON: I have, A.J. It really is a media blitz and it got us wondering - should Gov. Palin get her own TV show? The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been ringing off the hook with your reaction. We heard from Sandy in Indiana who says she`s a fan.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SANDY, CALLER FROM INDIANA: This thing with Sarah Palin - I believe people are just afraid of her. And I love hearing her talk.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We also heard from Sandy in Florida who says TV might be a good venue for Palin.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SANDY, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: Should Sarah Palin get her own TV show? I say yes. She should get her own TV show because she`s not cut out for politics.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Call us at "Showbiz On Call." That way, you can let us know if you think Sarah Palin should get her own TV show. Or if you have anything else on your mind, tell us that as well.
ANDERSON: That`s right. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are always open, 24/7 - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online on CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: All right. Moving on now, Brooke, Paula Abdul is speaking out about an absolutely horrifying story.
ANDERSON: She is, A.J. A woman who once auditioned for "American Idol" has been found dead near Paula`s home. Police suspect the death was a suicide. We`re going to have more details on this shocking, very sad story, and Paula`s reaction, coming up.
HAMMER: Plus Britney Spears` son rushed to the hospital. Well, now that Jayden James is OK, will his dad try to use the incident against Britney? K-fed`s lawyer tells us whether to expect a hearing. That`s coming up, and so is this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: Oh, nonsense. It`s so beyond the race issue. No, of course not, of course not. Everybody`s fair game for a comedian.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Will there be lots of laughs for the new president-elect? Comedians speak out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about what we can expect in late- night laughs and in the clubs once President Obama is sworn in. That is still to come on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: All right. Are you ready? It is time to vote for your favorite CNN hero. Here`s what you need to do. Get to the computer, turn it on, go to CNN.com/Heroes to see their stories.
You`ve got to vote, and then what you need to do is join Anderson Cooper on Thanksgiving night to find out who will be CNN`s hero of the year. Vote now, CNN.com/Heroes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories making news right now.
Kevin Federline won`t be taking any legal action after a health scare over the weekend for his two-year-old son with Britney Spears. Federline`s attorney says he had no plans to seek a hearing. Jayden was rushed to the hospital Sunday night after having a bad reaction, possibly some kind of food allergy.
Former Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene gets the boot from "Dancing With The Stars." But former NFL defensive tackle Warren Sapp lives to see another dance. I think Warren is so entertaining, very light on his feet. Greene and his partner Cheryl Burke were eliminated last night. He says he had a lot of fun and made a lot of new friends.
HAMMER: A scary accident for former "Desperate Housewives" star, Jesse Metcalfe. "People" magazine says Metcalf was rushed to the hospital after he fell about 40 feet from a second-story balcony at a nightclub in Monaco. He was there co-hosting the World Music Awards. Now, his rep says Metcalf has a fractured fibula but there is no long-term damage.
Metcalf has spent time in rehab for alcohol problems. His rep said he did have a couple of glasses of champagne after the show.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., Paula Abdul is speaking out about an absolutely horrifying story.
HAMMER: Yes. This is pretty incredible, Brooke. A woman who once auditioned for "American Idol" - I actually remember her from season five. Well, she has been found dead near Paula Abdul`s home.
Police suspect her death was a suicide. We have the details on this shocking story coming up, along with Paula`s reaction.
ANDERSON: Plus, Brad Garrett of "Everybody Loves Raymond" gets into a scuffle with the paparazzi. And it`s all caught on tape. So what got Brad so mad? That`s still to come.
And also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: Oh, nonsense. It`s so beyond the race issue. No, of course not, of course not. Everybody`s fair game for a comedian.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Comedians including the one and only Joan Rivers speaking out about presidential humor now that Barack Obama`s been elected. Is he really fair game for the comics? Well, we`re investigating the Obama comedy factor, coming up.
ANDERSON: But first, stay on top of the most provocative entertainment news with our daily SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsletter. Just head to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Click on the "sign up for newsletter" link at the bottom of the page. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming back right after this.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: Oh, nonsense. It`s so beyond the race issue. No, of course not, of course not. Everybody`s fair game for a comedian.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, brand-new Barack Obama Hollywood controversies. Tonight, the Obamas - will the joke be on them? Will comedians, "SNL," make fun of such a well-liked, well-spoken president? Will comics be hesitant to go after Obama because he`s the first black president?
Plus, Obama`s first big test, should he let his young daughters go on Miley Cyrus`s "Hannah Montana?"
Brad Garrett`s shocking run-in with the paparazzi. Tonight, the "Everybody Loves Raymond" star battles with the paparazzi and it`s all caught on tape. What set him off? Will he be charged?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Tonight we`re asking, have we possibly elected the first unfunny president? That`s what comedians are wondering about Barack Obama.
Plus, are Barack Obama and Miley Cyrus` dad, Billy Ray, working on the play date of a lifetime for the Obama daughter, Malia and Sasha?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going one-on-one with some of the biggest comedians about making fun of Barack Obama. Will they be able to poke fun at a history-making president? Will they say, "Yes, we can?"
And the president-elect has to figure out the economy. He`s got to fight two wars. But could his first big test as president involve his daughters and "Hannah Montana?" We`ve got a trifecta of comedians tonight.
Joining me in New York, comedian Keith Powell - you might know him best as Super from NBC`s "30 Rock." Also in New York is Allison Becker. She`s the host of VH1`s "Top 20 Countdown." And from Hollywood tonight, Brett Ehrlich who co-hosts "Infomania" on Current TV. Gang, I appreciate you all being here.
New right now, is Barack Obama too perfect to make fun of? And will his race keep him off limits? Well, I`ve got to tell you some of Hollywood`s best comedians like Bill Maher and Joan Rivers, also Richard Belzer came out this week to honor the late George Carlin.
And when we asked them about comedy and Obama, they all agreed, yes, it`s going to be a challenge. But that doesn`t mean Obama`s going to be spared. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: It`s so beyond the race issue. No, of course not. Of course not. Everybody`s fair game for a comedian.
LEWIS BLACK, COMEDIAN: As long as there`s a Democrat or Republican breathing in this country, it`s funny.
RICHARD BELZER, COMEDIAN: This is going to be an amazing challenge because we all - friends and enemies alike, everybody loves this guy. So I`ve been challenged to come up with something. So I`m going to try to do an impression of him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hey, Belzer does have the ears. Maybe it will work. And he has a dog he can give the Obamas. All right. Brett, starting with you, do you agree comics are just going to let loose on Barack Obama just like every other president?
BRETT EHRLICH, CO-HOST, "INFOMANIA": I just think that if you think that Barack Obama is the first unfunny president ever, that`s a complete fallacy. We all know that Martin Van Buren was the first unfunny president. That man was very bland.
But if you`re talking about him because people love him so much they`re not going to make fun of him. I mean, Bill Cosby loved his family and that`s what the whole show was about. And we just don`t know him well enough yet. It`s like, you know, the first time your aunt brings home your new uncle to the Thanksgiving dinner table. You don`t know anything about him so you make fun of how he looks and how he talks.
HAMMER: Yes.
EHRLICH: And it takes a few years before you can make fun of what makes up the core of that person.
HAMMER: Yes, that makes sense. All good points. And I guess since we don`t him that well, some comedians are saying, it might be harder to perhaps come up with the Obama one-liners right away.
But I have to tell you, Lily Tomlin tells us she does know a way around the Obama comedy challenge. Watch Lily.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LILY TOMLIN, ACTRESS: I pray heaven that they are so lucky and things go so intelligently and reasons that - there would be no reason to go too far, you know. Maybe we`ll feel so great about ourselves and our country that we`ll be making stuff about that, really prideful like, over-the-top happy stuff, which are going to be pretty funny, too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s definitely one way of looking at that. What do you think, Allison? Could the Obama White House usher in a kinder, gentler comedy era, or is that just not funny at all?
ALLISON BECKER, HOST, "TOP 20 COUNTDOWN": I don`t know if it will be kinder or gentler. But I think it`s going to be a little more challenging. I mean, with George Bush - you know, making fun of George Bush was just like shooting fish in a barrel.
HAMMER: Yes.
BECKER: I think they could actually replace the idiom "shooting fish in a barrel" with "making fun of George Bush" because it`s actually easier than shooting fish in a barrel.
Well, with Obama - I mean, yes, there`s still a comedy angle. I mean, we could make fun of how perfect he is. Is this guy a robot? Like he`s good-looking, he`s smart, he`s successful. I mean, is he just going to, you know, fly away in his robot machine.
HAMMER: I don`t think so. And by the way, on the Bush angle, can you say "nucular?"
All right. Now, here`s a point that really has really has been coming up a lot as this discussion is going on. Some people are saying, you know, you can`t make fun of Barack Obama because he`s the first African-American president. However, comedian Carlos Mencia told CNN that Obama is actually a comedian`s dream. Watch Carlos.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARLOS MENCIA, COMEDIAN: You`re telling me that a black guy with a dad from Kenya who didn`t grow up in mainland America, who is well-educated, who is unbelievably articulate, who has no, like, "what`s up," yo, yay, in him. And he was raised in Hawaii - if you don`t think that there`s unbelievable amounts of humor in that, you are so crazy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What do you think, Keith? Is Carlos right? Are comics just going to have plenty of material to work with for the next four years and race not a factor?
KEITH POWELL, COMEDIAN: No, I don`t think so. I think that people look beyond the race in that situation because, have you seen this Obama? He is quite dreamy. He`s quite a good-looking guy.
HAMMER: Do you have a little crush there, Keith?
POWELL: I kind of do. I kind of want to sleep with him. I got lost in his eyes.
BECKER: I`ll second that.
HAMMER: OK. Let me make a little note and I`ll send a note to Debra Gibson. Perhaps she can rewrite the big `80s hit, "Lost in Your Eyes."
POWELL: Yes.
HAMMER: "Saturday Night Live" has obviously had a field day throughout history with presidents. Some of the most memorable presidential stand-ups we`ve ever seen, you know, we have Chevy Chase as the bumbling Gerald Ford, and then of course, more recently, Tina Fey truly unbelievable as Sarah Palin.
But what do you think? Are "SNL" writers maybe a little panicked right now? Are they having meetings in some kind of situation room about how to tackle the Obama presidency because the comedy hasn`t made itself clear just yet?
EHRLICH: There`s plenty to make fun of out there. I mean, he still - his campaign is still sending E-mails to people asking for money for the DNC. He just is a very chatty president. I`m waiting for when he starts sending me texts just to talk late at night.
I mean, there`s plenty out there to make fun of. I mean, there`s the way - his three modes of talking, like the first one is like the press events where he`s talking and he keeps looking down all the time, way more times like they need to put his notes like suspended out here a little bit so he can read all of them.
HAMMER: And Brett -
EHRLICH: And then he -
HAMMER: Yes, go ahead.
EHRLICH: He just gets really - he definitely like looks and woos reporters. And I`m thinking they should do a sketch where, you know, he just asks to get the press room a little bigger, like knock down the walls and hold press conferences on the mall so he can be comfortable in front of millions of people instead of 30.
HAMMER: Yes. So your idea is coming to a TV near you soon. And do us a favor - let us know if Obama starts IM-ing with you, OK?
I`ve got to move on to this other story that` s new right now. Will Malia and Sasha Obama get roles on "Hannah Montana?" You know, the first daughters love the show. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did speak with a very reliable source, none other than Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley`s dad, who also stars on the Disney show with Miley. Watch what Billy told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hear that you`ve invited the Obama girls to be on "Hannah Montana." What`s going on with that?
BILLY RAY CYRUS, FATHER OF MILEY CYRUS: You know what? It`s one of those things - you know, we`ll just see what`s meant to be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Keith, do you think this is going to be one of Obama`s toughest decisions as soon as he gets into the White House, deciding if his daughters should go on the "Hannah Montana" program?
POWELL: OK. I have news for Malia and Sasha - don`t do it.
HAMMER: Oh, why?
POWELL: Don`t do it. Use it as leverage to get your own show. I mean, think about it. You`ve got like - you follow them around the White House with the camera. Then, they drop water balloons on like a visiting Vladimir Putin and then give wedgies to Joe Biden. It will be fun. That is its own show. Use it as leverage.
HAMMER: Oh, good point. All right, Allison, 10 seconds. For you, good or bad idea?
BECKER: I mean, I kind of with Keith on this one. I would use it as leverage, but to get a pony. Come on, girls. I`ve always a pony, but I never got one.
HAMMER: That could be a White House first. I`ll have to back and look at my history books to see if there`s been a White House pony.
POWELL: I just want to pitch one show title, "Malia and Scalia." She`s a 10-year-old daughter of the president; he`s a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) old Supreme Court justice. And they solve the abortion issue.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Keith Powell, Allison Becker, Brett Ehrlich, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., there`s breaking news tonight about Paula Abdul.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. This is an extremely shocking story we`re dealing with tonight.
ANDERSON: It is. A woman was found dead right outside the "American Idol" judge`s house. And get this, the woman was a former contestant on "Idol." We`ve got the latest on this developing story, a dramatic video of the woman trying out for "Idol."
Also this -
(VIDEO OF BRAD GARRETT AND A PAPARAZZO)
HAMMER: That`s "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Brad Garrett getting into it with the paparazzi. Wow! Yes, with these guy, it seems like everybody doesn`t love Brad and the feeling is mutual there. Will Brad face charges? We`ve got the dramatic battle caught on tape.
ANDERSON: And has "Live With Regis and Kelly" co-host Kelly Ripa found a new gig? Is she leaving Regis behind for a job with the New York Knicks basketball team? Find out, coming up.
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you about "CNN Heroes." For the second year in a row, CNN is honoring ordinary people making an extraordinary impact all over the world.
What you need to do is head over to CNN.com/Heroes. That way you can see their amazing stories and vote for your favorite hero. Then make sure you tune into CNN Thanksgiving night, Thursday, November 27th, and join "AC 360`s" Anderson Cooper from the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. Cooper is going to reveal the CNN hero of the year. We are coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, two top stories new right now. First, the body of a woman believed to be an obsessed fan was found outside Paula Abdul`s home. We have chilling video of the woman who was once a contestant on "American Idol."
Also tonight, Brad Garrett from "Everybody Loves Raymond" dukes it out with a paparazzo, their scuffle caught on tape. So what got him so fired- up?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Harvey Levin who is TMZ`s executive producer. Harvey, good to see you.
HARVEY LEVIN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, TMZ: Hi, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Hey, I want to start with this unbelievable Paula Abdul story - the body of a young woman found in a car near Paula Abdul`s home. Police believe she was an obsessed fan and that she actually tried out in 2006 for "American Idol." Harvey, just how far did this woman`s obsession go?
LEVIN: Well, it was a clear obsession. I mean, the cops told us early this morning basically they view her as an alleged stalker. It got so bad that Paula Abdul actually had contacted threat management in LAPD because she was afraid for her safety.
This woman had been sitting outside of Paula`s house for a long time. As a matter of fact, we found out a year ago, this same woman overdosed literally in the same location in her car outside of Paula`s house and police came then. She`s had severe mental problems for several years. People have tried to help her, but it just didn`t work.
ANDERSON: Oh, how awful, Harvey. OK, when this female fan went on "American Idol," they actually did a lengthy profile on her and her apparent obsession with Paula. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE OBSESSED FAN OF PAULA ABDUL: I really like Paula Abdul. She`s really cool. I`m a really big fan. I make life-size drawings of Paula. I`ve been drawing since I was a little kid. And my first drawing was of Paula Abdul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now, that was just a portion. It actually was much longer. And watching it, it is just chilling. Did Paula Abdul - you say that she was trying to protect herself from this woman`s infatuation, Harvey. How frightened did she get at times?
LEVIN: Well, Paula was genuinely frightened and as I said, ended up going to the LAPD. Ultimately, I think what happened was they determined that this was not a real kind of threat to her safety, but that this woman need help. She had multiple mental problems. And it was just so severe. Her family tried to help her. Others tried to help her. And you know, as I said, clearly, it did not work.
ANDERSON: Yes. And how devastating for not only her but her family, and Paula Abdul, of course, shocked by the death. She told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday. My heart and prayers go out to her family."
All right. Police say it does appear to be a suicide. What other details do you know about the case, Harvey?
LEVIN: Well, we`re told it was a drug-induced possible suicide. But you know, it is just scarily like, you know, what happened a year ago and it again just goes to show, people with mental illness, it`s real hard to treat people, especially if they don`t want to be helped or can`t be helped because of the mental illness. And you know, it was just history repeating itself here.
ANDERSON: Oh, it was just so terrible that she felt so, so hopeless.
All right, Harvey. Moving on now to the second story new right now. Brad Garrett dukes it out with a paparazzo. Take a look at this stunning video.
(VIDEO OF BRAD GARRETT AND A PAPARAZZO)
ANDERSON: OK. Harvey, Brad Garrett had never really gotten into this kind of scuffle before. I`ve got to imagine that he was provoked big-time by the photographer. What exactly went down here?
LEVIN: Well, he has been aggressive before, just so you know. As a matter of fact, you know, he ended up hitting one of our cameras when he thought that our guy had done something that another guy did.
But last night, I agree with you, it felt like he was provoked. He came out of a restaurant in West Hollywood with a date. And a bunch of cameramen started asking him questions and he was cool about it. But what happened is this one guy just persisted and persisted and got up in his face long after most of the other guys had kind of stood back.
And Brad just kind of snapped at a point and took a whack at the camera. And then this guy said - basically hurled this gay slur at Brad Garrett. And at that point, Brad Garrett basically said, "Hey, guys, put the camera down. Let`s roll right now." And none of them wanted to do anything with Brad Garrett. He`s a big guy and they kind of retreated.
ANDERSON: Well, gosh, it did feel like this was different from previous altercations and incidents. And you know, paparazzi can be so incredibly aggressive and invasive. Frankly, I`m surprised this sort of thing doesn`t happen more often. TMZ`s Harvey Levin, always great to see you. Thanks so much.
HAMMER: Well, Tonight, Elton John is speaking out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about the fight over gay marriage. A lot of Hollywood still fired up over this after an election day vote in California called "Proposition 8" passed, banning gay marriage.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the annual benefit for Elton John`s AIDS foundation in New York on Monday. And Elton tells us, that it`s the word "marriage" that might have scared people off.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELTON JOHN, MUSICIAN: David and I have a civil partnership, and I`m very happy with the civil partnership. It protects us. We have everything that we want and then we have the best day. I think marriage - a lot of straight people - and I understand - I don`t think marriage is between a man and a woman.
I think people should have the right to commit to each other. If they called it a "civil partnership," it would be a much easier passage for them to get through.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, moving on now, Brooke. We are still getting a ton of calls into "Showbiz On Call" about Sarah Palin and whether she should go on "Oprah."
ANDERSON: We are, A.J. And people are really divided about this. Take a listen to Andrea calling from North Carolina.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANDREA, CALLER FROM NORTH CAROLINA: I think that Sarah Palin should go on "Oprah" because both of them are strong, opinionated women.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, there are plenty of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers out there who think that Palin should not go on Oprah`s show because they feel Oprah snubbed her by not having her on before the vote. Let`s listen to Shirley calling from Ohio.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHIRLEY, CALLER FROM OHIO: I don`t think Sarah Palin should stoop low enough to go on "The Oprah Show" or have anything to do with her.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And remember, you can call us any time you want at showbiz on call. We want to know what you think about this or anything that is on your mind. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines always open; that`s 1-888- SBT-BUZZ, the number 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And listen to this, your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online on our homepage CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Check them out.
All right. I am really blown away by Kelly Ripa. She does "Live with Regis and Kelly." She`s got three kids. She does so incredibly much. And tonight, she might have a new gig working for the New York Knicks basketball team. You do not want to miss this slam dunk of a story, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Charles. And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.
Hey, did you see this? It has been "do it" week on "Live with Regis and Kelly" where they train and do different jobs.
And let me tell you, Kelly Ripa has really worked her butt off. She learned a dance routine with the Knicks City Dancers, that`s the New York Knicks dance squad that works the crowd at basketball games in New York and Madison Square Garden. Check out Kelly and the dancers.
(VIDEO OF KELLY RIPA DANCING WITH THE NEW YORK KNICKS CITY DANCERS)
ANDERSON: I am really impressed. Pretty good dancer. She did a good job, and as always, looks amazing.
HAMMER: Wow, very impressive. All right, Kelly. I`ve got to tell you, I am totally psyched for the new James Bond movie coming out this week. Are you guys psyched about this? Yes, it`s a pretty big deal, "Quantum of Solace."
Of course, the bar is set really high for this new Bond flick. The last one, "Casino Royale," that thing made about $600 million around the world.
So, on the "Today" show, on Wednesday, Matt Lauer asked the current Bond, Daniel Craig, if he finally thinks he has silenced his critics, you know, the ones who hated the idea of a blond Bond.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: I was wondering where all those people are now, who were, three years ago or four years ago, saying, "This isn`t the right guy. He is not the right Bond."
And now, most people look at you, including the critics and say, "He may be the best Bond we`ve ever had." What are they yelling and screaming about now?
DANIEL CRAIG, ACTOR WHO PLAYS "JAMES BOND": Oh, I was not listening then. I`m not really listening -
LAUER: Did you not listen at all? I know you came on and we talked about it. And you said you tried to put it out of your head. But is there some sense of vindication?
CRAIG: I genuinely don`t think in that way. I mean, by the time the criticism, you know, started coming, we were nearly halfway through the movie. And it was too late by then. I had to just continue.
And, then come, sort of the premiere in London and people asked me the same question. They said, "Do you feel, you know, the success in the movie?" We had good critics. We had, you know - we had potentially very good box office. I just was - I felt good about it then. I felt good about it now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you I think Daniel Craig has been terrific in the role. "Quantum of Solace," believe it or not, is going to be the 22nd film in the "007" series. It`s going to be in theaters this Friday. Brooke, I can`t wait.
ANDERSON: I can`t wait either.
HAMMER: Very excited. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And don`t you forget, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific. And in the morning, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
END
